La Playa Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Our review: Light gold with an aroma of gooseberry and lemongrass, this wine is crisp, even tart, on the palate though without much fruit flavor. The finish is pleasant, but brief.

Our rating: This wine favors the somewhat harsher New Zealand style of this varietal, one that works well with seafood dishes. Unfortunately, it seems to lack depth and complexity. We enjoyed it, and would probably recommend it based on its price, but it isn't memorable. About Average overall. Interestingly, we rated a previous vintage, the La Playa Sauvignon Blanc 2007, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A consistent favorite with the critics, this pale yellow-green wine has a bright and floral nose, with aromas of blossoms, lime and honeydew. On the palate, it is fresh, well-structured and shows a lively acidity, with crisp lemon-lime zest, citrus candies and a note of fresh grass."